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‘Wrestling Gold’ a precious DVD collection

John Powell

Wrestling Gold
Kit Parker Films and VCI Entertainment (DVD)

As consumers, we hear or read the phrase ‘must-have’ so often that it seems to have lost its meaning. Once in a while, however, something does come along that is worthy of all the pomp and circumstance. The ‘Wrestling Gold’ DVD collection is exactly that: A release that lives up to all the hype.

The five part series by Kit Parker Films and VCI Entertainment far exceeds the quality of anything found on a wrestling DVD to date. This unrivaled set contains a wealth of information and classic footage that can be found nowhere else. Even those, like myself, who have followed wrestling for over 25 years, can learn a thing or two from the tag team commentary provided by the incomparable Wrestling Observer Newsletter Editor, Dave Meltzer, and his partner in crime, wrestling manager and industry insider, Jim Cornette. In fact, it is the educational and entertaining commentary by Meltzer and Cornette that makes ‘Wrestling Gold’ on DVD set worth owning.

Viewers have the option of listening to the original commentators call the matches, or Meltzer and Cornette dispensing their knowledge. So humorous and insightful are Meltzer and Cornette’s comments that they breathe life into what would be otherwise termed as “scrub” matches on ‘Wrestling Gold’. For example, on ‘Busted Open’ a “rookie” Shawn “Heartbreak Kid” Michaels wrestles Ken Johnson in a throwaway match from Texas All-Star Wrestling. The match itself is nothing to write home about, but Meltzer and Cornette take the opportunity to give us the history of Michaels’ career and his achievements in the business and because of this, we are glued to the match until the official slaps the three count.

Besides the extraordinary job that Meltzer and Cornette do with their commentary, the collection’s greatest feat is the way in which the archival footage has been restored for release on DVD. The clarity will startle fans who have been used to watching the sometimes grainy footage of yesteryear matches that is found on videotape. Bouts from the sixties and seventies on ‘Wrestling Gold’ look as if they were shot last week. The transfer is nothing short of amazing.

‘Wrestling Gold’ is available on VHS as well, though I would assume the series loses something without the special Cornette/Meltzer commentary that can only be found on the DVD version. At $74.99 for the ‘Wrestling Gold’ DVD Box Set or $19.99 for each DVD, the offerings are a steal if one considers what you pay for your average DVD release. For those who appreciate the history and evolution of professional wrestling business, this set is the set for you.

Wrestling Gold: Collection #1: Busted Open

VCI Home Video, Kit Parker Films
Length: 2 Hrs 9 Mins.
Format: Fullframe.
Audio: Dolby Digital.
Extras: Commentary Track, Bios: Shawn Michaels, Dave Meltzer.

Matches

Review: A wild brawl between legendary tough guys Bruiser Brody and Abdullah The Butcher and text book scientific bout pitting (Cowboy) Bob Orton Jr. against Adrian Adonis illustrates the diversity in this ‘Wrestling Gold’ entry. The clash of styles in the Brody – Bockwinkel match is a treat to watch. A so-so installment that really need more “main event” calibre bouts with more recognizable stars. Terry Funk and (Polish Power) Ivan Putski teaming up? You have to see it to believe it. Rating: 3 / 5.

Wrestling Gold: Collection #2: The Maim Event

VCI Home Video, Kit Parker Films
Length: 2 Hrs 9 Mins.
Format: Fullframe.
Audio: Dolby Digital.
Extras: Commentary Track, Bios: Jim Cornette, Bruiser Brody.

Matches

Review: The best chapter in the collection – especially for “Macho Man” Randy Savage fanatics like myself. Grappling in Memphis just before he began his successful run in the World Wrestling Federation, Savage’s brutal encounter with Jerry “The King” Lawler in a steel cage was borne out of a real life feud that is detailed by Meltzer and Cornette. Ricky Morton being piledriven through an announce table by Savage and The Sheik taking a pencil to Mark Lewin’s forehead then throwing a fireball at him are classic moments. Fans of the Road Warriors will get a kick out of watching them take on Austin Idol and Memphis hero Jerry “The King” Lawler in his own backyard. The quality of matches on “The Maim Event” are exceptional as is the opportunity for us to watch stars like Ted Dibiase, The Road Warriors, Rick Rude and The Von Erichs before they went on to become stars. Rating: 5 / 5.

Wrestling Gold: Collection #3: We Like To Hurt People

VCI Home Video, Kit Parker Films
Length: 2 Hrs 9 Mins.
Format: Fullframe.
Audio: Dolby Digital.
Extras: Commentary Track.

Matches

Review: Except for the bloody (and I mean BLOODY), opening match of Tommy Rich and Eddie Gilbert taking on The Spoiler and Phil Hickerson, this release doesn’t have much to offer. On the whole, the matches are dull and uneventful. Even the Terry Funk versus Harley Race NWA World Heavyweight Title bout from Toronto is too old school for most modern wrestling fans to appreciate. Pepper Gomez? Who dat? The one shining moment is when Cornette and Meltzer rip on Tiger Jeet Singh calling him one of the “worst main eventers” ever as he fights The Sheik in a cage match originating from Toronto. I can hear Tiger sharpening his sword as we speak. Rating: 2 / 5.

Wrestling Gold: Collection #4: No More Mr. Nice Guy

VCI Home Video, Kit Parker Films
Length: 2 Hrs 9 Mins.
Format: Fullframe.
Audio: Dolby Digital.
Extras: Commentary Track.

Matches

Review: Two men wrestling in a shark cage? A wrestling bear beating the snot out of stupid human? Bobby Heenan grappling? King Kong Bundy with hair? What more could we possibly ask for? Once again, the great minds behind ‘Wrestling Gold’ have raided the vault and put together another fun-filled DVD. The Lawler versus Bockwinkle and Savage versus Rude bouts are the show-stoppers here as is Andre The Giant’s first appearance ever in Toronto as he attempts to corral that wily Sheik. This entry definitely has something for everyone. Rating: 4.5 / 5.

Wrestling Gold: Collection #5: Beat Me If You Can

VCI Home Video, Kit Parker Films
Length: 2 Hrs 9 Mins.
Format: Fullframe.
Audio: Dolby Digital.
Extras: Commentary Track.

Matches

Review: Mirroring the ‘We Like To Hurt People’ entry in the series, this is a disappointing release. The matches are pretty much your standard fare with none of them really standing out or sticking with you once you pop the disc out. This installment’s saving grace is that it spotlights matches with Terry Allen (Magnum T.A.), a wildly popular 80’s star who had his promising future in the business cut short by a car accident that left him in no condition to continue wrestling. Watching some of Allen’s earlier matches really brings home the scope of the tragedy and the loss suffered by the industry as a whole. Rating: 1 / 5.

 

Editor’s Note

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